U.S. patent number 7,014,402 [Application Number 10/720,695] was granted by the patent office on 2006-03-21 for rotatable finger assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sertapak Inc.. Invention is credited to Marty Kessler.
United States Patent |
7,014,402 |
Kessler |
March 21, 2006 |
Rotatable finger assembly
Abstract
A rotatable finger assembly including one or more fingers,
supports or separators mounted for individual rotational movement
from a first supporting or separating position to a second
out-of-the-way position. A shaft provides an external longitudinal
spline which is temporarily lockingly engageable within one of a
pair of internal longitudinal radially-spaced grooves on a
surrounding mounting mechanism to which the fingers, supports or
separators are attachable. The rotatable finger assembly is easy
and inexpensive to manufacture and is quickly adaptable for use in
a variety of applications, including but not limited to spacing
and/or separating items. The apparatus is also useful in the
protection against damage due to contact during transportation. The
assembly permits any number of rotatable fingers having the same or
different profiles to be mounted quickly and easily in accordance
with the desired result. The assembly can be used alone, in
combination with one or more other assemblies or in combination
with one or more sets of fixed spacers. Because the components of
the assembly can be made or extruded in long sections which can be
cut to suit, customized solutions are quickly realizable. The
piecewise assembly of the components permits users to achieve a
wide variety of shipping solutions to meet specific needs without
necessarily having to maintain a large inventory of specific
components.
Inventors: |
Kessler; Marty (Mississauga,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Sertapak Inc. (Woodstock,
CA)
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Family
ID: |
32685609 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/720,695 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2003 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20040131441 A1 |
Jul 8, 2004 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60429356 |
Nov 27, 2002 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Nov 26, 2002 [CA] |
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2412753 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
410/155;
410/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
19/44 (20130101); B65D 57/003 (20200501); B65D
25/10 (20130101); B65D 57/005 (20200501) |
Current International
Class: |
B61D
45/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;410/31,32,43,143,155 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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10103448 |
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Aug 2002 |
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DE |
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20216430 |
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Feb 2003 |
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DE |
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20302626 |
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May 2003 |
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DE |
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10249629 |
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May 2004 |
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DE |
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20319883 |
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May 2004 |
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DE |
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53023488 |
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Mar 1978 |
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JP |
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2002019929 |
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Jan 2002 |
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JP |
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2004298335 |
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Oct 2004 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Gutman; H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jones, Tullar & Cooper,
P.C.
Parent Case Text
This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application
No. 60/429,356, filed Nov. 27, 2002, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference. This application also
claims priority based on Canadian Patent Application No. 2,412,753,
filed Nov. 26, 2002.
Claims
I claim:
1. A rotatable finger assembly for use in spacing, separating or
supporting one or more articles comprising: a plurality of
independently rotatable fingers mounted for rotation about a common
axis, each said finger being rotatable between a first position
wherein a surface of the finger is engageable with a surface of one
of said articles and a second position wherein said surface of the
finger is pivoted away from said surface of said one of said
articles, said first position of each finger being angularly the
same as every other said finger, each said finger having a second
surface engageable with a surface of an adjacent article and
wherein when said finger is rotated to said second position, said
second surface is pivoted away from said surface of said adjacent
article, said fingers being mounted about said common axis on a
finger mount having a central aperture through which a central
shaft is disposed, wherein said central shaft has a longitudinal
spline and said aperture of said finger mount has an internal
recess extending partially circumferentially therein in which said
spline is circumferentially moveable.
2. The rotatable finger assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said surface of said finger has a profile which conforms
substantially to the profile of said surface of said one of said
articles.
3. The rotatable finger assembly as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising stop means for limiting rotation of each finger between
said first and second positions.
4. The rotatable finger assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said aperture of said finger mount includes a first longitudinally
extending groove at one extent of said recess in which said spline
is lockingly engageable when said finger is in said first
position.
5. The rotatable finger assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said aperture of said finger mount includes a second longitudinally
extending groove at the opposite extent of said recess in which
said spline is lockingly engageable when said finger is in said
second position.
6. The rotatable finger assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein
said first and second longitudinally extending grooves are
spaced-apart circumferentially more than 90.degree.
7. The rotatable finger assembly as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a spacer positioned between one or more adjacent pairs
of finger mounts.
8. The rotatable finger assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein all
said fingers have the same shape.
9. The rotatable finger assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein one
or more of said fingers each has a slot for engaging an edge of one
of said articles.
10. The rotatable finger assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein
adjacent fingers are shaped to accommodate a portion of one of said
articles therebetween when said fingers are in said first
position.
11. The rotatable finger assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein
two or more said fingers are joined to provide a supporting surface
for one or more of said articles.
12. A transportation or shipping package comprising one or more
pairs of rotatable finger assemblies as claimed in claim 11 used
for spacing, separating or supporting said one or more articles
contained therein, said pair being disposed on opposite inner walls
of said package.
13. A transportation or shipping package comprising at least one
rotatable finger assembly as claimed in claim 1 used for spacing,
separating or supporting said one or more articles contained
therein.
14. The transportation or shipping package as claimed in claim 13
wherein said at least one rotatable finger assembly is positioned
horizontally along an inner vertical wall of said transportation or
shipping package.
15. A rotatable finger assembly, for use in spacing, separating or
supporting one or more articles comprising: a plurality of
independently rotatable fingers mounted for rotation about a common
axis, each said finger being rotatable between a first position
wherein a surface of the finger is engageable with a surface of one
of said articles and a second position wherein said surface of the
finger is pivoted away from said surface of said one of said
articles, said first position of each finger being augularly the
same as every other said finger, each said finger having a second
surface engageable with a surface of an adjacent article and
wherein when said finger is rotated to said second position, said
second surface is pivoted away from said surface of said adjacent
article, said fingers being mounted about said common axis on a
finger mount having a central aperture through which a central
shaft is disposed, and wherein said fingers are removable from said
finger mounts for replacement with fingers having different surface
profiles for accommodating different shaped articles.
16. A transportation or shipping package comprising: at least one
rotatable finger assembly for spacing, separating or supporting one
or more articles, each said rotatable finger assembly comprising: a
plurality of independently rotatable fingers mounted for rotation
about a common axis, each said finger being rotatable between a
first position wherein a surface of the finger is engageable with a
surface of one of said articles and a second position wherein said
surface of the finger is pivoted away from said surface of said one
of said articles, and one or more fixed spacers spaced from said at
least one rotatable finger assembly against which each of said one
or more articles are braced.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to spacers or separators used unitarily or in
series for spacing or separating commercial goods or other items of
interest. More specifically, the invention relates to a rotation
mechanism to which said spacers and separators may be attached for
controlled movement thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is a need for a packaging structure (such as metal racks or
plastic hard bins) which are or can be equipped with protective
separators (foam fingers) that could be individually rotated
(lock-unlock positions) for loading-unloading operations thereby
avoiding complications involved with packaging structures having
all fixed separators or separators which are installed after all
the articles are placed therein. The invention is also driven by
cost efficiencies such as by replacing individually purchased
hardware as is currently done with a sequenced extrusion-type
product which is piecewise assemblable to meet the needs of the
specific application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A rotatable finger assembly is disclosed having a simple structure
which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and which is quickly
adaptable for use in a variety of applications, including but not
limited to spacing and/or separating items. The apparatus is also
useful in the protection against damage due to contact during
transportation. The assembly permits any number of rotatable
fingers having the same or different profiles to be mounted quickly
and easily in accordance with the desired result. The assembly can
be used alone, in combination with one or more other assemblies or
in combination with one or more sets of fixed spacers. Because the
components of the assembly can be made or extruded in long sections
which can be cut to suit, customized solutions are quickly
realizable. The piecewise assembly of the components permits users
to achieve a wide variety of shipping solutions to meet specific
needs without necessarily having to maintain a large inventory of
specific components.
Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, there is provided a
rotatable finger assembly for use in spacing, separating or
supporting one or more articles which comprises a plurality of
independently rotatable fingers mounted about a common axis. Each
finger is rotatable between a first position wherein a surface of
the finger is engageable with a surface of one of the articles and
a second position wherein the surface of the finger is pivoted away
from the surface of the article. Each finger may also have a second
surface engageable with a surface of an adjacent article. When the
finger is rotated to the second position, the second surface is
pivoted away from the surface of the adjacent article. The fingers
may have surface profiles which conform to the portion of the
surface of the article which is to be engaged. The rotatable finger
assembly may include stops for limiting rotation of each finger
between the first and second positions and locks for maintaining
the fingers in the first and second positions.
Preferably, the fingers are removably mounted on finger mounts
which are disposed on a shaft through a central aperture for
rotation thereabout. The shaft has a longitudinal spline which
cooperates with an internal recess extending partially
circumferentially within the central aperture, which permits
limited circumferential movement of the spline in the recess and
hence limited relative rotational movement between the shaft and
finger mount. The aperture of said finger mount may include a
longitudinally extending groove at both extents of the recess in
which said spline is lockingly engageable. The relative positioning
of the spline, recess and grooves are such that when the spline is
engaged in one groove, the finger is disposed in its first position
and when the spline is engaged in the other groove, the finger is
in its second position. The rotatable finger assembly may also
include one or more spacers to inexpensively gap distances between
fingers when larger articles are being spaced. Advantageously, two
or more fingers may be joined to provide a supporting surface for
one or more of said articles or a portion thereof.
Also contemplated is a transportation rack or shipping package
which utilizes one or more of the aforesaid rotatable finger
assemblies.
These and other features and advantages will become apparent from
the accompanying description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rotatable finger assembly which
has been broken away to reveal the details and structure
thereof;
FIG. 2A is an end view detail of the centre shaft of the finger
assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. 2B is an end view detail of a spacer of
the finger assembly of FIG. 1; and FIG. 2C is an end view detail of
a finger mount of the finger assembly of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3A 3C are cross-sectional views of the rotating finger
assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating the relative movement of the finger
assembly components;
FIGS. 4A 4C are partial cross-sectional views illustrating an
exemplary finger movement;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a finger mount and finger of FIG. 4C
illustrating the profile of the finger in the axial direction of
the finger mounts.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a length of finger assembly illustrating
various finger profiles and how they can be employed to separate
and/or support a variety of goods;
FIG. 7A is a plan view of an alternate finger arrangement; FIG. 7B
is an end view of the alternate arrangement of FIG. 7A; and FIG. 7C
is a side view of the alternate arrangement of FIG. 7A;
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a shipping rack showing an
application of dual rotatable finger assemblies according to the
invention; FIG. 8B is a reverse perspective detail of the dual
rotatable finger assemblies with the fingers removed for clarity;
and
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of an alternate shipping rack showing
another application of the rotatable finger assembly; FIG. 9B is a
perspective detail of one of the rotatable finger assemblies shown
in FIG. 9A with the spacer/support removed for clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2A to 2C, there is shown a rotatable
finger assembly 10 comprising a plurality of finger mounts 12
disposed along a centre shaft 18. The finger mount 12 includes
means 14 for attaching thereto a finger, spacer or the like 16 (as
shown in FIGS. 4A 4C) and which will be described in greater detail
hereinbelow. The finger mounts 12 have a central or generally
cylindrical aperture 20 (see FIG. 2C) through which the centre
shaft 18 extends. The shaft 18 has a longitudinal ridge or spline
22 which is rounded in the circumferential direction. The spline 22
is designed to seat within one of two elongated grooves 24,26
provided in the aperture 20 of each finger mount 12. Between the
grooves 24,26, there is region 28 of increased diameter (as
compared with the internal diameter of the remainder 30 of the
aperture 20 which is slightly greater than the external diameter of
the centre shaft 18) disposed between two detents 32,34 which
facilitate positive registration of the spline 22 within the
grooves 24,26 as can best be seen in FIGS. 3A 3C. The region 28
permits generally free movement of the spline 22 between the
positioning grooves 24,26, and hence permits the finger mounts 12
to rotate accordingly with respect to the centre shaft 18. Thus,
the finger mounts 12 are able to temporarily lock into
predetermined first and second rotational positions with respect to
the centre shaft 18 as determined by the radial placement of the
grooves 24,26 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C.
As shown in FIGS. 4A 4C, the finger attachment means 14 may
comprise a generally C-shaped channel with flanges 36 into which
can be slid a similarly configured end portion 16a of a finger,
spacer or the like 16, for retention therein by way of friction fit
or by adhesive or mechanical fastening means if necessary. By
utilizing a friction fit, the fingers 16 can be readily changed for
a finger with a different profile to meet the requisite spacing
needs. The finger 16 includes a pair of slots 17 into which the
flanges 36 of C-channel 14 engage. It will be appreciated that the
manner by which the fingers are attachable can be varied.
Because the forces which may be applied to the finger 16 for moving
it rotationally into and out of spacing position would typically be
in a circumferential direction, the channel 14 is preferably
disposed so that its length (perpendicular to the page as shown in
FIG. 2C) is in the same general direction as the axis 38 of the
aperture 20 of the finger mount 12, as shown in the drawings.
To reduce friction and to ensure smooth rotational movement of
adjacent finger mounts 12, a spacer 40 (see FIGS. 1 and 2B) may be
employed between each adjacent pair of finger mounts 12 and/or at
the outermost finger mounts 12 disposed on the centre shaft 18. The
spacer 40 can be provided in a variety of axial lengths to suit the
specific application or finger spacing requirement. Depending on
the fit between the internal diameter of the spacer 40 and the
external circumference of the centre shaft 18, the spacers 40 can
be used as axial positioners for the finger mounts 12. The spacers
40 can be of any suitable material such as nylon, Teflon.TM. or the
like, although extruded PVC is preferred due to its inexpensiveness
and suitability to being cut to whatever axial length is desired.
Due to the external shape of the centre shaft 18, one or more
grooves 42 may be provided on the inner perimeter of the spacer 40
to accommodate the spline 22 of the centre shaft 18. The more
grooves 42 that are provided, the easier the registration of the
spline 22 with one of them is during assembly.
To facilitate manufacture of the spline 22 on the centre shaft 18
the centre shaft 18 is preferably extruded in an appropriate
cross-section, such as is shown in FIG. 2A. PVC makes an
inexpensive and sufficiently rigid material and enjoys low friction
so as to facilitate relative movement of the spline 22 and the
portions of the finger mount which it contacts. Preferably, the
internal cross-section of the centre shaft 18 is such that it can
accommodate a rigid, non-round mounting tube 50, preferably made of
a relatively high strength but inexpensive material such as steel.
The non-round construction of the tube 50 permits positive
engagement with the centre shaft 18 so as to resist relative
rotational movement therebetween. This two-piece construction is
very economical as compared with a unitary structure of similar
strength and performance. The mounting tube 50 also serves to
enable the rotatable finger assembly to be mounted adjacent the
articles to be spaced/separated. In this regard, the mounting tube
50 can extend axially beyond both the centre shaft 18 and outermost
finger mounts 12, whereby the protruding ends can be used for
support and/or structural connection. A hollow tube is preferred
over a solid structure due to cost and weight considerations.
Additionally, advantage can be taken of the tube's aperture for
connection/mounting purposes.
As can be seen in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the internal cross-section of
the centre shaft 18 approximates the preferably square
cross-sectional shape of the tube 50. In this regard, four sets of
prongs 52 project inwardly and against which the tube 50 abuts.
Preferably, the fit is such that the tube 50 can be inserted and
retained within centre shaft 18, but also removed when necessary.
The pronged profile has been found to be a good compromise between
strength and reduced weight and does not necessarily require the
tolerances of a completely square hole.
At least one of the finger mount 12 and the centre shaft 18, or
respective portions of each, should be sufficiently resilient to
permit relative deflection of the spline 22 over detents 32,34, but
also sufficiently stiff or inflexible so as to prevent relative
over-rotation of the spline beyond the grooves 24,26 (i.e. into the
reduced diameter portion 30). If as aforesaid, the centre shaft 18
is made from a PVC extrusion, the finger mount can then be made
from a relatively more rigid material, such as extruded aluminum,
to provide the necessary strength for the fingers 16. If necessary,
a small space 60 (see FIG. 3A) can be provided for between the
inner prong 52a adjacent the spline 22 to facilitate deflection of
the portion 62 of the centre shaft 18 near which the spline 22 is
disposed. The resiliency in the components and or the spacing 60,
if provided, in connection with the height of the detents 32,34 and
the diametral differences between portions 28 and 30, are selected
with an eye to not permitting the finger mount 12 from rotating
beyond the range dictated by the radial angle .theta. between the
grooves 24,26.
In the embodiment shown, the grooves 24,26 in the finger mount 12
are separated radially by more than 90.degree. in order to ensure
the finger can be moved (effectively pivoted) from a first
position, for example a horizontal position (see FIG. 4C) wherein
the finger acts as a spacer between two articles, to a second
position (see FIG. 4A) which would be sufficiently beyond vertical
to ensure the finger is moved fully away from the articles to be
spaced to enable their removal vertically or laterally (i.e in the
axial direction of the shaft 18).
The configuration of the fingers 16 is highly variable and a number
of different profiles can be on hand to accommodate a wide variety
of spacing/separating situations. However, custom profiles can
always be provided for specific applications.
The various components can be selected and assembled on an
as-needed basis or predetermined configurations can be
pre-assembled for installation as required.
FIG. 6, which is indicative of the variability of the assembly,
shows an indefinite length of assembly having four exemplary
arrangements or series of fingers A,B,C,D. In series A, a plurality
of finger mounts 12 are separated by spacers 40. Each finger mount
has a finger 16a attached thereto. The profile of the fingers 16a
in series A, which is generally the same as finger 16 shown in
FIGS. 4A C and 5, has a shoulder 70 which is transverse to the axis
38 of the finger mount 12 disposed on each side, resulting in a
section 72 of reduced axial width (axial is with respect to the
axis 38 of the finger mount 12). Articles 80a are spaced apart by
the reduced axial width section 72 while being individually
retained between reduced axial width sections 72 and respective
shoulders 70 of adjacent fingers 16a.
In series B, the profile of fingers 16b includes a slot 74 disposed
transversely to the axis 38 of the finger mount 12. Articles 80b
are accommodated within slots 74. With this arrangement, the width
of the slot 74 has to be generally the same (or slightly greater)
than the thickness of the article 80b, which can limit adaptability
when accommodation of articles of various thicknesses is required
as each article would require a finger 16b with a matching width
slot 74. As can be seen in Series C, the fingers 16c are the same
as those of series A, but simple variation in the axial length of
spacer 40c advantageously permits accommodation of a wider article
80c. Similarly, the axial length of the finger mounts 12, the axial
width of the fingers 16, the width of reduced section 72 and/or the
depth of shoulder 70 can all be varied to suit almost any spacing
requirement.
Alternatively, spacing and support for an article 80d may also be
provided by selectively employing only certain fingers 16d as shown
in series D. In this case, the middle finger 16d' is not utilized,
i.e. it remains locked in its generally upright position. With the
appropriate axial length of spacers 40d (which length need not be
the same), the selected fingers 16d are positionable adjacent
opposed edges of the article 80d so as to retain the article 80d
therebetween.
It is also possible to orient one or more of the finger mounts
12d'' oppositely on the centre shaft 18 during assembly such that
the rotational action of finger 16d'' occurs in the opposite
direction as shown in phantom in series D. In this manner, a single
assembly could be employed to separate articles disposed on either
side of it.
It will be understood that while the finger profiles shown in FIG.
6 have generally square shoulders 70 or rectangular slots 74, the
fingers can be made with other shapes to suit the edge shape of the
article to be separated, if desired.
Depending on the need, the rotatable finger assembly can also be
adapted as shown in FIGS. 7A 7C to function as a support/separator
81 by substituting a support frame 82 for two or more fingers.
Frame 82 includes at least two rigid finger brackets 84, each of
which are engageable with the attaching means 14 of a respective
finger mount 12. The distal ends of the finger brackets 84 are
connected by frame member 86 which extends in the same general
direction as the mounting tube 50. An appropriate length spacer 40
is disposed on the centre shaft 18 between the finger mounts 12.
Thus, the frame 82 is unitarily operable in the same manner as a
single finger 16 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A 4C. A support
88 can be attachable to or formed integrally with the frame member
86 which can be used to support and/or separate articles. The
support 88 can be shaped or configured to suit the specific
requirement and in this regard, the support 88 shown in FIGS. 7A 7C
has several exemplary supporting configurations 89a 89c.
Configuration 89a is a hole adapted to receive a portion of the
article to be supported/spaced. Configuration 89b is a wedge-shaped
slot and configuration 89c is a plurality of transverse slots.
Obviously, the configurations can be repeated and spaced as
necessary. Where articles of the same shape and size are to be
supported/spaced, the configurations will be the same whereas it is
also envisaged that various configurations can be utilized where
articles of predetermined different shapes are to be
supported/spaced.
FIG. 8A illustrates a practical application of the rotatable finger
assembly 10 in a shipping rack 90. The rack 90 includes a frame 92
having two compartments 94, 96, between which dual rotatable finger
assemblies 10a,10b are positioned. The finger assemblies 10a,10b
include a plurality of fingers 16 attached to respective finger
mounts 12 (see FIG. 8B) which are individually rotatable as
aforesaid. The fingers 16 have a profile similar to the profile of
fingers 16a in FIG. 6 having a reduced axial width section.
Opposite each assembly 10a,10b there is a fixed spacer 98 having
grooves 100 which correspond to the separations 102 formed between
the adjacent reduced axial width sections of fingers 16. If
desired, similar fixed spacers (not shown) can be positioned on the
floor 104 of the rack 90 within channels 106. Although additional
rotatable finger assemblies could be used, fixed spacers provide a
cheaper alternative.
The rack 90 is designed to accommodate a plurality of planar
articles 80 generally vertically in each compartment 94,96.
Starting from empty, the fingers 16 of each assembly 10a,10b are
positioned in an upright locked position as shown by assembly 10b.
A first planar article 80 is positioned against the fixed spacer 98
in a selected groove 100 and the pair of fingers 16 opposite the
said groove are rotated and locked into their horizontal position
(as shown by assembly 10a), thus engaging an edge portion of the
article 80 in the respective separation 102 between the reduced
width sections of the respective fingers 16. (Of course, the first
finger 16 could have been initially rotated into its locked
horizontal position prior to positioning the planar article 80
whereafter the second finger 16 of the pair would be subsequently
rotated to engage and retain the edge portion of the article 80
within the separation between the pair). Additional planar articles
are sequentially positioned with the subsequent finger being
rotated into its locked horizontal position to engage and retain
the edge portion of each next article 80. Thus, due to the ability
of the fingers 16 to rotate individually from a generally upright
position, it is not necessary to have the articles lowered
vertically and inserted within the spacings (which can be
problematic with heavy and/or fragile articles) as would be
required if the spacers (fingers) were horizontally fixed.
Furthermore, the articles 80 are sequentially held in position as
they are introduced. Once the last planar article 80 is locked in
place with the last finger, the entire rack 80 can then be
transported to the destination/user location. Unloading of the rack
80 may then take place in a generally reverse sequence by rotating
the outermost finger from its locked horizontal position to its
locked upright and "out of the way" position so that the article
80, once moved out of the groove(s) 100 of the fixed spacer(s), can
be removed in a direction which is generally perpendicular to its
planarity. Thus, the articles 80 can be removed one at a time with
the remaining articles retained in safe, supported and spaced
relation.
To facilitate simultaneous return of all of the fingers 16 into
their upright position, an optional reset bar 110 may be provided
as shown best in FIG. 8B. The reset bar 110 is mounted generally
concentrically with each assembly 10a,10b and is rotatable by means
of a lever 112, for example. The bar is engageable with the fingers
16 or the finger attachment means 14 of the finger mounts 12. When
it is desired to return any and all fingers 16 which are
horizontally disposed as shown by assembly 10a to their upright
positions as shown by assembly 10b, the lever 112 is rotated so as
to cause the bar 110 to engage the fingers 16 whereby continued
rotation of the lever 112 will return the fingers 16 simultaneously
to their upright positions.
FIG. 9A illustrates a practical application of a variation the
rotatable assembly 81 of FIGS. 7A 7C in another shipping rack 120.
The rack 120 includes a frame 122 to which is attached a plurality
of rotatable assemblies 124, shown individually and more
specifically in part in FIG. 9B. Assembly 124 has a pair of finger
mounts 12 spaced apart by spacer 40. The assembly 124 can be
mounted to a pair of brackets 125 which can facilitate mounting of
the assemblies 124 within the rack 120. A rigid finger bracket 126
extends from the finger attachment means (C-channel) 14. A frame
member 128 connects the distal ends of the rigid finger brackets
126. The frame member 128 is adapted to receive a supporting spacer
130 which has been configured in accordance with the type of
article 132 to be transported. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 9B, the article 132 is fascia for an automobile bumper, two of
which are supported/spaced at their ends on each pair of rotatable
assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the rack 120. In the rack
120 of FIG. 9A, there are three vertical series X,Y,Z of paired
assemblies 124. A pair of channels 134 on the floor 136 of the rack
120 may be adapted to receive fixed supporting spacers 138 as there
is usually no need for them to be rotated out of the way during
loading and unloading operations.
In a loading sequence, all of the rotating assemblies 124 are
positioned in their upright, out of the way, positions as shown at
124'. A first pair of articles 132 are disposed on the lowermost
and rearwardmost fixed supporting spacers 138. The pair of rotating
assemblies 124 which are vertically adjacent are rotated and locked
into their generally horizontal position thereby presenting their
respective supporting spacers 130 into which can be placed another
pair of articles 132. This step is repeated until all of the pairs
of rotating assemblies 124 in series X are filled. Series Y and Z
are similarly filled whereupon the entire rack 120 can be
transported. The unloading sequence is generally the reverse
wherein as each pair of articles 132 are removed, their supporting
pair of rotating assemblies 124 are rotated out of the way (to
124') to permit ease of access to lower pairs of articles.
As aforesaid, the shape of respective supporting spacers 130 is
made to conform to the article 132 being supported/spaced. It is
contemplated that an appropriately configured spacer 140 (shown in
phantom in FIG. 9B) can depend from the frame member 128 to provide
additional bracing to any articles below the subject rotatable
assembly. In this regard, the frame member 128 can include upper
and lower channels 142,144 so as to accommodate portions of the
upper supporting spacer 130 and lower spacer 140, respectively.
The fingers and supports mentioned above can be made of any
material appropriate for the circumstances. Preferably, the
material will have some resilience to absorb vibrations or minor
impacts yet will be sufficiently stiff to maintain their separation
or supporting functions or the fingers/supports can be made of a
lightweight rigid material which is coated to achieve these
properties. The material should not be damaging to the article
which it is to contact. Preferred materials can include rubber and
foamed material but can also be made of metal.
While there has been shown and described herein a rotatable finger
and frame assembly, it will be appreciated that various
modifications and or substitutions may be made thereto without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be
understood that while the orientation of the embodiments shown and
described herein are generally horizontal with the rotation
occurring in a generally vertical plane, depending on the nature of
the specific application, the orientation can be at any angle,
including vertical where rotation occurs in a generally horizontal
plane.
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